Machine for grading or sorting by weight



Nov. 23, 1937; w. JONES MACH INE FOR GRADING 0R SORTING BY WEIGHT Filedlay 15, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 23, 1937. a w. JONES 2,099,393

MACHINE FOR GRADING 0R SORTING BY WEIGHT Fil ed lay 15, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet 2 60 j r I l9 l6 L Fij- Nov. 23, 1931. w' JQNES 2,099,893

MACHINE FOR GRADING OR SORTING BY WEIGHT Filed May 15, 1935 I 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Fly. 7.

- Patented Nov. 23, 19 37 UNITED STATES PATENT j OFFICE MACHINE FORGRADING on soa'rmo BY wnronr Application May 15, 1925, Serial N.'21,5"zo

' In Great Britain May 18, 1934 8 Claims.

This invention has referenceto an improved machine for grading orsorting by weight, and has for its object the provision of an improvedmachine for this purpose which is electrically controlled and entirelyautomaticin operation. The invention consists of an improved machine forgrading or sorting by weight embodying a load receiving device, anautomatic weighing mechanism associated with said device, an electriccircuit control means which assumes a circuit completing condition whena load is applied to the receiving device, electrically controlled meansfor ensuring the maintenance of the load on' the receiving device untila weighing operal5 tion has been performed, electrically operateddefiector mechanism capable. of being brought into operation subsequentto the completion of a weighing operation, and electrically influencedmeans for maintaining the deflector mechanism active (if in operation)for a period of time necessary to ensure the transfer of the load fromthe receiving device and the restoration of the mechanism to the initialposition.

The invention also resides in the combination 2.; with the improvedmachine for grading or sorting by weight of means for automaticallybringing the weighing mechanism to its normal unloaded equilibriumposition after a grading or sorting operation has been effected.

The invention further resides in means for electrically maintaining theweighing mechan'ism in the weighing position during the period in whichthe load is being transferred from the receiving device to the selectedpath.

The invention still further resides in the details of construction ofthe improved grading or sorting machine to be described hereinafter.

'Ifhe invention will 'now be described with par- .ticular reference tothe accompanying sheets of i drawings which illustrate the invention inits application to a machine for grading or sorting tinplates'by weightinto light, correct and heavy groups. 1

In the drawings:'

Figure l is a side elevation of sufficient of the improved grading orsorting machine as is necessary to an understanding'of the invention.

Figure 2 is afragmentary. view of the means for maintaining thetinplates on the weighing platform during grading and of the switchcontrolled by the said tinplates when in position on the weighingplatform.

Figure 3 is. a fragmentary view of the deflector mechanism; N

5 Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the means for lever II,- henoefoautomatically bringing the weighing mechanism to its normal unloadedequilibrium position after a grading or sorting operation has beeneffected. Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the delay action switchmechanism 5 Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the means for feeding thetinplates to the weighing platform.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating the means for locking theweighing mechanism in position after a weighing operation has beenperformed and for actuating the electrically operated deflectormechanism.

Figure 8 is .a fragmentary view illustrating the -means of adjusting thedevice for actuating the electrically operated deflector mechanism; and.

Figure 9 is a diagram of the electric circuit employed.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate similar parts of theseveral views.

According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawingsthe improved machine comprises a weighing platform l0 arranged toincline downwardly from the receiving end towards the delivery-end, saidweighing platform l0 operating in conjunction with a magnetic feedplatform II which is magnetized by electromagnets II, the feed platformreceiving the tinplates singly from a cleaning 0 machine of known kind(Figs. 1 and 6). This weighing platform "I is supported from one arm ofa lever I! which is fulcrumed in bearings carried by stand-- ards l3supported from a frame H mountedon adjustable feet for facilitatingleveling said lever l2 being referred to hereinafter as the weighinglever l2 and being normally maintained in a horizontal position andhaving a pendulous weight l5. adjustably supported therefrom. Pivotallymounted on the weighing platform III is a transversely disposed plate l6which is normally projected away from the upper surface of the weighingplatform l0 under the action of the springs. This plate l6 constitutesthe contact making member of a switch hereinafter termed the platformswitch which controls a circuit in.-' eluding a source of electricsupply. The circuit controlled by the platform switch also incorporatesa. solenoid ll hereinafter termed the locking solenoid I I, a solenoidII hereinafter termed the centralizing solenoid l8 and a solenoid I9hereinafter termed the delay action solenoid I 8; The armature 20 of thedelay action solenoid II is suspended from one arm of an even-armedtobereferredtoasthe' 'switch lever 2|, whi is'fulcrumed in bearingscarried by the frame M. The other arm of this switch lever M hassuspended therefrom the piston rod 22 of an air dashpot of known kind.Fixed to the switch lever 2| and symmetrical with the fulcrum thereof isa plate 23 carrying three mercury switch tubes 2t, 2t and 2B of.

arms which in turn are actuated by the plungers- 29 30 of a pair ofelectro-magnetic devices the solenoids 2Q, 30 whereof are calledhenceforth the deflector solenoids.

The deflector 2i nearest the delivery end of the weighing platform it ishereinafter termed the underweight deflector, the other deflector tilbechart 53 which servesto enable the balance posi ing referred to as theoverweight deflector. The

underweight and overweight deflectors El and 28 are arranged so that theupper surfaces thereof are maintained normally in a plane slightly belowthe plane of the upper surface of the weighing platform ll i In parallelwith the deflector solenoids is the locking solenoid l the magnet poleill whereof (lo-operates with a flexible; arm Eli? secured to theweighing lever H2.

The circuit through the deflector solenoids ll, 23 is controlled byswitches 3'2, which cooperate with a contact closing member 532 which isconnected to the flexible arm 5:12.

The switches 32', 33 are slidably mounted on a rod 3 3 and are adaptedto be traversed on the said rod 3 by means of screws 35, actuated bybevel gears ill, 38 which are rotated by means of shafts 3d, lll by keys(not shown). The switch 32', hereinafter termed the underweight switch,is connected with a rod ll which has pivotal connection with a lever d2carrying at its forward end an indicator 32 which co-operates with agraduated chart 1-3 Similarly the switch 33, which is called hereinafterthe overweight switch, through a rod 1 3 operates an indicator whichcooperates with a chart de the said indicator it and it being springcontrolled.

' The pendulous weight it is adjustable by means of a screw db actuatedby a shaft ll]. which is rotated by a key. This pendulous weight 35 hasassociated therewitha rack th which engages a pinion 38 mounted on ashaft fill supported by brackets depending from the weighing lever 32said shaft to carrying at its forward end a chart which registers with apointer 5t depending from the weighing lever E12. The screw N5 carry ingthe adjustable pendulous weight it is provided with a downward extensionM which serves as a pointer and which co-operates with a graduated tionof' the machine to be checked in a manner that will be describedhereinafter. At its forward end the weighing platform cooperates with aflap 55 which is pivotally mounted relatively to the weighing platformand is nor mally maintainedin an obstructing position at the lower edgeof the weighing platform under the influence of 'a spring at. The flap55 cooperates with a'llatch til actuated by the armature aoah'saa atewith a fixed contact 60 and with a contact 82 carried by the poiseweightIZ The lower end of the armature la co-o'perates with contacts 6! whichin conjunction with the mercury switch tube'25 control electro;magnets lI for magnetizing the feed platform I! l.

The circuit diagram illustrated in Figure 9 discloses a suitable circuitutilizing direct current at a mains pressure of 210-240 volts.

In this diagramzv v The switch arm it corresponds to the plate it.

The coil loll corresponds to the locking solenoid ll.

The coil it corresponds to the centralizing solenoid (It.

The coil it corresponds to the delay action solenoid Ml.

The switch Fi l corresponds to the mercury switch tube t l.

The switch 2% corresponds to the mercury switch tube 2%.

The switch it corresponds to the mercury switch tube 22%.

noid 3t. a

The switch arm 5.32 corresponds to the underweight switch 32 t Theswitch arm corresponds to the overwelght switch The coil 58 correspondsto the solenoid at which controls the latch ill! for the flap 55,

The switch arm t1] corresponds to the contacts which are closed by thelower end of the armature Elli.

The operation of the invention is as follows:-

The machine is balanced initially by placing on the empty weighingplatform a'known weight and the pendulous weight it adjusted on thescrew lt until the graduation on the chart 50 corresponding to thisweight registers with the pointer ti whereupon the pointer it willindicate the zero position on. the chart 53. The weight is then removedleaving the machine correctly balanced for use.

The shafts E37] and 3d are then rotated by means of the keys to adjustthe switches 32, to afford the maximum percentage of underor overweightwhich may be allowed the setting being assisted by the indicators 12 andd5 which reglster'with the charts lt 63 and so give a visual indicationof the tolerance limits of the underand overweight percentage. Thisadjustment effacts the setting of the switch contacts 32', 313relatively to the contact closingrnember 32 depending from the resilientarm 32. The pendulous weight [1&5 is then adjusted by means of the shaftdll until the pointer til on the weighing lever l2 registers with agraduation on the chart Ell denoting the weight ofthe grade of tinplateon which the machine is to Work for any sequence. The tinplates are nowfed singlyto the magnetic feed platform M and are retained by theelectro-magnets it the energization of which is controlled by the switchti and the mercury tube switch 25 in a manner to be referred tohereinafter. 7 Assuming that a tinplate is released from the feedmagnets ll it falls on to the weighing platform fill until it contactswith the flap t5 whereupon it is prevented from further movement on theweighing platform. The weight of the tinplateon the weighing platform itdeprases the plate it and opens the circuit con trolled by the platformswitch; The breaking of The coil 2Z9 corresponds to the deflectorsolenoid this circuit breaks the circuit through the centralizingsolenoid I8, the consequent falling of the armature l8, through thecontacts I2 l8 and 60, breaking the circuit through the locking solenoidl1 and thus permitting a weighing operation to take place. The breakingof the circuit controlled by the platform switch also de-energizes thedelay action solenoid l9 thus permit ting the other end of the switchlever 2| carrying the piston rod 22 of the air dashpot to movedownwardly under the action of an initial loading against the resistanceafforded by the air dashpot. This movement of the switch lever 2| rocksthe plates 23 carrying the mercury switch tubes 24, 25, and 26 andcauses these switches to complete the sections of the electricalcircuits controlled thereby. The retarding of the tilting of the mercurytube switches 24, 25, and 26 which results from the air dashpot enablesa weighing operation to be completed before the sequence of operationsnow to be described obtains. The completion of the circuit controlled bythe mercury switch tube 24 upon the tilting of the switch lever 2|completes the circuit throughthe locking solenoid I! whereby theflexible arm 32 carried by the weighing lever I2 is drawn towards themagnet pole IT and the weighing lever thus locked in the weighingposition. If the tinplate is of the correct weight for its grade orWithin the tolerance limits allowed no movement of the weighing lever I2obtains or a sufficient movement does not obtain for permitting thecontact closing member 32 to complete the circuit through one or otherof the switches 32';

33 and consequently the solenoids 29, 30 of the plungers 29 and 3Ggoverning the operation of the deflectors 21 and 28 are not energized.If, however, a sheet is under or over the prescribed weight the movementof the contact closing member 32 completes the circuit through eitherthe underweight switch 32' or the overweight.

switch whereby the respective deflector 2I or 28 is moved into anobstructing position relatively to the path of the tinplate from theweigh-' through the solenoid 58 whereby theflap 55 is unlatched topermit of the tinplate sliding of! g the weighing platform under theaction of gravity and of being graded as aforesaid. The removal of thetinplate from the weighing platform l enables the platform switch toclose and so energize the centralizing solenoid l8 whereupon thearmature l8 either moves intocontact with the poiseweight l2 and movesit.

ture I8 of the centralizing solenoid l8, through the contacts li and 60,completes the circuit 2| also results through thelocking solenoid l1 andresults in the weighing lever l2 being again locked in the centralizedposition. The raising of the armature iii also results in the 'switchcontact 6| opening but as the switch tube 26 is in parallel with thisswitch in the circuit of the electromagnets ll of the magnetic feedplatform de-energization of the said electro-magnets to allow of thefeed of the next plate to be graded is not permitted until the switchlever 2| returns to the normal position and so enabling the switch tube26 also to open. The delay action of the switch lever 2| ensures thatthe previously graded plate shall have been completely discharged fromthe weighing platform and the flap 55 restored to the obstructingposition before'the next tinplate to be graded is allowed to pass on tothe weighing platform, the'sequence of operations is then repeated.

The use of the centralizing solenoid enables the speed of operation tobe increased since the minimum of loss of time is involved in restoringthe weighing platform III to the normal unloaded equilibrium positionafter a grading or sorting operation.

What .I claim is:-'-

1. A machine for grading or sorting by weight embodying a weighingmechanism, a load receiving device from which the load tends to fallunder the action of gravity, electrically controlled means for lockingthe weighing mechanism, electrically controlled means for restor-. ingthe weighing mechanism to the normal equilibrium position after agrading or sorting operation has been performed, electrically operateddeflector mechanism associated with the weighing mechanism and adaptedto be brought into operation for directing the load into aspecifled-channel according to its grade or weight, movable meanscarrying the switch controlling the aforesaid locking means, means'forelectrically actuating said switch carrying means, means for delayingthe movement of said switch carrying means and a switch incorporated inthe load receiving device-and adapted to be actuated by the loading ofthe load receiving device the actuation of said switch'on the receptionof a load effecting the unlocking of the weighing mechanism, the placingof the restoring means out of action and the actuation of the delayaction switch carrying means.

2. A machine for grading or sorting by weight embodying a weighingmechanism, a load receiving device for said weighing mechanism fromwhich the load 'tends to fall under the action of gravity, electricallycontrolled means which tends normally to maintain the load on the loadreceiving device, electrically controlled means for locking the weighingmechanism, electrically controlled means for restoring the weighingmechanism to the normal equilibrium position after a grading or weighingoperation has been performed, an electrically controlled meansassociated with the weighing mechanism and adapted to be brought intooperation in the event of the load being lighter than a predeterminedweight to obstruct the path of discharge of the load from the loadreceiving device so as to deflect the load into a specified channel, anelectrically operated means associated with the weighing mechanism andadapted to be brought, into operation in'the event of the load beingheavier than a predetermined weight to obstruct the path of discharge ofthe load from the load receiving device so as to deflect the loadinto aaforesaid locking means and load retaining means, means for delaying theaction of said movable switch carrying means and a switch incorporatedin the load receiving device, and adapted to be actuated by-the loadingof the load receiving device, the actuation, of the said switch on thereception of a load resulting in the placing-of the restoring means outof action, the unlocking of the weighing mechanism quential bringinginto action of the load vre and the actuation of the switch carryingmeans whereby the locking means is again brought into action and theload retaining means placed out unlocking the weighing mechanism,

the contralizing mechanism into operation and returning the loadretaining means to the retaining position, the delay action of theswitch carrying means ensuring a suflicient period of time for aweighing operation to take place and for the deflector means to bebrought into opera.- tion it required before the discharge of the load.

3. A machine for grading or sprting by weight according to claim 1,wherein electrically operated means is provided for regulating the feedto the load receiving device, saidmeans being associated with theequilibrium restoring means so as to ensure that a feed shall not takeplace until the load receiving device is clear, the weighing mechanismlocked with the equilibrium restoring means in action. I H I 4. Amachine for grading or sorting by weight according to claim 2 havingmeans for. adjusting the limits of weight within which the deflectormeans shall come into action;

5. A machine for grading or sorting by'weight according to claim 1,whereinthe movable switch carrying means is rockable under the con- 40trolof electrical means against the resistance (afforded by a dashpot.

6. A machine for gradihg or sorting by weight embodyingfa' weighinglever, an adjustable resistant associated with said lever, an inclinedload receiving device supported from said lever, I an electricallycontrolled means which normally tends to retain the load ongthe loadreceiving device, an electrically controlled means for lock-. ing theweighing lever, an electricallylcontrolled equilibrium position after agrading or sorting 'operation has been performed, an electricallymovable switch carrying means, a switch carried by said meanscontrolling the' operation ofand adapted to be brought intoanobstructing position relatively to the discharge pathfof a load heavierthan a predetermined load, "means for delaying the action of the switchcarrying means, and a switch incorporated in,the load of action, theconsequent discharge of the load 7 bringing means for restoring theweighing lever to an amasos receiving device and adapted to be actuatedby the loading of the load receiving device, said switch on loadingeffecting theputting .out of action of the equilibrium restoring means,theunlocking of the weighing lever and the movement of the switchcarrying means, the actuation of said switch after the discharge of theload efiecting the bringing into action of the equilibrium restoringmeans and entailing the locking of the weighing lever, the restorationof the switch carrying means with the consetainingmeans, the deflectorsreturning to the out of action position upon the restoration of theweighing lever to the equilibrium position.

to claim 6 wherein the electrical circuits of the deflectors iscontrolled by an arm attached to the weighing lever, one or othercircuit being completed according to the movement of the weighing lever.

8. A machine for grading or sorting by weight embodying a weighinglever, an adjustable resistant associated with said lever, a loadreceiving device mounted on said lever, electrically controlled meansfor feeding a load on to said load receiving device, an electricallycontrolled means which normally tends to maintain a load on the loadreceiving device, an electrically controlled means for restoring theweighing lever to its equilibrium position after a grading or sortinghas been performed, electrically controlled means for locking theweighing lever, an,

electrically controlled movable switch carrying means, a switch carriedby said means controlling the operation of the locking means, a switchcarried by saidmeans controlling the operation of the load retainingmeans, a switch carried by said means in'the circuit of the feed controlmeans, a switch controlled by the equilibrium resorting means and alsoin the circuit of the feed -control means so that a feed cannot'takeplace until both these switches so permit, an

7. A machine for grading or sorting according electrically'operateddeflector controlled through effecting the putting out of action of theequilibrlum restoring means, the unlocking of the weighing lever and themovement of the switch carrying means, the actuation of said switchafterthe discharge of the load bringing into action the equilibrium restoringmeans and en-' .tailing the locking of the weighing lever and the returnof the switch carrying means to its normal position whereby the loadretaining means is brought into action, thedeflectors returning totheout oi-action position upon the restoration of the weighing leverto anequilibrium position.

wmnm JONES.

